Police searching for male suspects in Pottstown shooting

By
Frank Otto, The Mercury

Monday, April 14, 2014

POTTSTOWN — Police continue to search for a group of men who shot and wounded a woman through the back door of her home late Sunday afternoon.

Stacy Abel was allegedly wounded in the hand around 5:15 p.m. by a gunshot and taken to the trauma center at Reading Hospital and Medical Center Sunday evening “for evaluation and treatment,” according to a release from the Pottstown Police.

A receptionist at the hospital said they had no patient under Abel’s name Monday. She may already have been released after treatment.

Police said Abel answered the back door of her home facing Buttonwood Alley and saw “several males” outside. As she closed the door, she was reportedly struck by a “projectile” fired on the other side.

Pottstown Police Capt. Robert Thomas said Abel did not see what kind of weapon was used to fire the shot.

At the scene, there appeared to be a bullet hole in the door approximately a foot to the right of the door knob. Investigators took photos of the door and surrounding yard Sunday evening.

Buttonwood Alley was closed between Washington and Warren streets while police investigated, with police tape cordoning off the section of the alley behind the row home facing the 500 block of East High Street.

How many men were at the door could not be confirmed by police but they were described as being “black males, in their 20s.”

“Although it was unseasonably warm on Sunday, all of the actors were described as wearing ‘hoodies,’” the release said.

Whether or not Abel knew the victims is also unconfirmed.

Sources said Abel is a young mother. She is believed to be 25 years old.

It wasn’t clear if her child was in the home at the time of the shooting.

An investigation is ongoing and anyone with information pertaining to the shooting is asked to contact the Pottstown Police at 610-970-6561.